Heterogeneous composite bipolar plate of a fuel cell

Abstract

A bipolar plate of a fuel cell comprises a body, two flow fields, and electrically conductive fibers. The body has a central portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. The flow fields are disposed on the two sides of the central portion of the body. The electrically conductive fibers are positioned in the central portion and penetrate therethrough.

1. A bipolar plate of a fuel cell comprising:
 a body defining a central portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion; 
 a plurality of electrically conductive fibers positioned in the central portion and penetrating therethrough, wherein said electrically conductive fibers individually protrude outward out of the central portion and are flexible; and 
 a plurality of water delivery devices disposed in the central portion and penetrating therethrough for delivering water from one side of the bipolar plate to the other side of the bipolar plate, wherein the water delivery devices are cotton threads. 
 
     
     
       2. A bipolar plate according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least two flow fields each disposed on the either side of the central portion of the body. 
     
     
       3. A bipolar plate according to  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of flow channels disposed in the flow fields and formed by the electrically conductive fibers. 
     
     
       4. A bipolar plate according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of manifolds connected to the flow fields. 
     
     
       5. A bipolar plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is made of plastic. 
     
     
       6. A bipolar plate according to  claim 5 , wherein the body is made by injection molding process. 
     
     
       7. A bipolar plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive fibers are carbon fibers. 
     
     
       8. A bipolar plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive fibers are graphite fibers. 
     
     
       9. A bipolar plate according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of water feeders for feeding water to the bipolar plate. 
     
     
       10. A bipolar plate according to  claim 9 , wherein the water feeders are cotton threads. 
     
     
       11. A bipolar plate according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of water feeders in contact with the water delivery devices and extending to the outside of the bipolar plate for feeding water to the water delivery devices. 
     
     
       12. A bipolar plate according to  claim 11 , wherein the water feeders are cotton threads. 
     
     
       13. A bipolar plate of a fuel cell comprising:
 a body defining a central portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion; 
 at least two flow fields disposed on the two sides of the central portion of the body; and 
 a plurality of water delivery devices disposed in the central portion and penetrating therethrough for delivering water from one side of the bipolar plate to the other side of the bipolar plate, wherein the water delivery devices are cotton threads. 
 
     
     
       14. A bipolar plate according to  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of water feeders in contact with the water delivery devices and extending to the outside of the bipolar plate for feeding water to the water delivery devices. 
     
     
       15. A bipolar plate according to  claim 14 , wherein the water feeders are cotton threads. 
     
     
       16. A fuel cell stack comprising:
 two endplates; 
 a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies sandwiched between the endplates; and 
 a plurality of bipolar plates each sandwiched between the adjacent membrane electrode assemblies, and comprising: 
 a body defining a central portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion; 
 a plurality of electrically conductive fibers positioned in the central portion and penetrating therethrough, wherein said electrically conductive fibers individually protrude outward out of the central portion and are flexible; and 
 a plurality of water delivery devices disposed in the central portion and penetrating therethrough for delivering water from one side of the bipolar plate to the other side of the bipolar plate, wherein the water delivery devices are cotton threads. 
 
     
     
       17. A fuel cell stack according to  claim 16 , wherein the bipolar plate further comprises at least two flow fields each disposed on the either side of the central portion of the body. 
     
     
       18. A fuel cell stack according to  claim 17 , wherein the bipolar plate further comprises a plurality of flow channels disposed in the flow fields and formed by the electrically conductive fibers. 
     
     
       19. A fuel cell stack according to  claim 16 , wherein the bipolar plate further comprises a plurality of manifolds connected to the flow fields. 
     
     
       20. A fuel cell stack according to  claim 16 , wherein the body is made of plastic. 
     
     
       21. A bipolar plate according to  claim 20 , wherein the body is made by injection molding process. 
     
     
       22. A fuel cell stack according to  claim 16 , wherein the electrically conductive fibers are carbon fibers. 
     
     
       23. A fuel cell stack according to  claim 16 , wherein the electrically conductive fibers are graphite fibers. 
     
     
       24. A fuel cell stack according to  claim 16 , wherein the bipolar plate further comprises a plurality of water feeders for feeding water to the bipolar plane. 
     
     
       25. A fuel cell stack according to  claim 24 , wherein the water feeders are cotton threads. 
     
     
       26. A fuel cell stack according to  claim 16 , wherein the bipolar plate further comprises a plurality of water feeders in contact with the water delivery devices and extending to the outside of the bipolar plate for feeding water to the water delivery devices. 
     
     
       27. A fuel cell stack according to  claim 26 , wherein the water feeders are cotton threads. 
     
     
       28. A bipolar plate of a fuel cell comprising:
 a body defining a central portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion; 
 at least two flow fields disposed on the two sides of the central portion of the body; and 
 a plurality of water feeders for feeding water to the bipolar plate, wherein the water feeders are cotton threads.